2025 Compare Cities Rankings:
Gainesville, FL vs Charlottesville, VA

#15 Most Competitive Public Colleges

#44 Best Green Cities

#56 2005 Best Places to Live

#88 America's Best and Worst Cities for Crime (Mid-Size Metro Areas)

#1 2005 Best Places to Live

#5 Most Competitive Public Colleges

#6 Best Green Cities

#8 Best Cities After Military Service

#31 America's Best and Worst Cities for Crime (Smallest Metro Areas)

#65 America's Most (and Least) Stressful Cities (117 Smallest Metro Areas)

I've lived here most of my life. It's changed a lot, and a lot of the locals don't like it. Because it's home to one of the largest universities in the country, we see a  More

Lovely diverse city! People is nice and there is always something to do. Outdoors activities are awesome! The springs are beautiful and there are plenty of hiking  More

Gainesville has the highest taxes and electrical rates in the state. The city is run by a bunch of liberals who have no idea what they are doing. Crime and homelessness  More

I have lived in Charlottesville, Albemarle County for 25 years. It USED to be a decent place but in the past 10 years has gone downhill. Rent is TOO high, landlords are  More

Loved here for 7 years, lots of parks and close proximity to Shenandoah, but that’s where the positives end. High cost of living with extreme income inequality,  More

Charlottesville resident for 7 years. Plenty of parks, the Rivanna River and trail, and a short drive to Shenandoah National Park means plenty of opportunities for  More